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I tested Beauty of Joseon's £12 anti-ageing sunscreen over 9 months – here's my honest review. Revitalising skin across five categories, from brightening to hydrating.
Lucy Smith Senior shopping writer Wednesday 29 April 2026 10:57 BST
When it comes to Korean Skincare, Beauty of Joseon is a name to know. Founded in 2016, the brand draws on the power of herbal ingredients; it's named for those used as medicine in the Joseon dynasty through the 14th to 19th centuries. This includes ginseng, green tea and – of course – rice. If you're sceptical about the anti-ageing benefits of rice, I spoke to dermatologists to find out if it works, or if it's just marketing. Dr Simon Ourian, a dermatologist with clients including Kylie Jenner and Lady Gaga, says that rice has "impressive anti-ageing benefits." Dr Ourian explains that it "delivers a natural plumping effect, making the skin appear more youthful and revitalised."
I also spoke to consultant dermatologist Dr Sina Ghadiri, who agrees and says, "Rice-derived products can be a beneficial complement to an anti-ageing skincare routine." However, Dr Ghadiri qualifies that rice isn't an all-encompassing solution to the signs of ageing; he adds that "[rice] shouldn't replace cornerstone ingredients like topical retinoids, vitamin C, or peptides." That said, he finds that rice extract "gives a soothing barrier-protective formula, making it especially suitable for those seeking both sun protection and skin-nourishing benefits." Beauty of Joseon's relief sun SPF50+ is one its bestsellers. This rice-packed sunscreen has been viral on social media, and when I tried it for myself in September 2024, when reviewing the best Korean skincare brands, I could see why. I was a fan back then, but I couldn't really speak to the formula's anti-ageing component, which would only become clear with prolonged use. So, here we are, nine months later; here's my verdict on whether the rice-based SPF actually works.
Beauty of Joseon relief sun: rice and probiotics SPF50+ PA++++
- Key ingredients: Chemical UV filters, glycerin, niacinamide, ginseng root, rice extract, vitamin E, green tea, kelp extract, fermented pumpkin and soybean
- SPF rating: 50
- Skin type: All bar acne-prone and those with very oily skin
- Cruelty-free and vegan: Yes, both
Why we love it
- Neither chalky nor sticky
- No white cast
- Hydrating and has a comfortable creamy texture
Take note
- Hard to use a full teaspoon dose when it stretches so far!
The formula
Beauty of Joseon's relief sun takes a five-prong approach to healthy skin. First and foremost, its five chemical UV filters give skin broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB damage. To tackle dehydration, it combines fatty alcohols and glycerin, drawing moisture from the air. Meanwhile, niacinamide sets about brightening your complexion, diffusing hyperpigmentation and balancing oil production. Fermented pumpkin and soybean will repair any breaches in the skin barrier, and rice works to boost elasticity and minimise the appearance of fine lines.
Performance
The sunscreen has a thin, lightweight feel. The texture of the relief sun formula is a loose cream, almost like a yoghurt. This means that a small amount stretches a long way, doesn't drag and – most importantly – doesn't feel heavy. Something to note: Even if an SPF formula feels like it's covered everything from forehead to décolletage with just a pea-sized amount, it's still important to follow the recommended one-teaspoon dose for full protection. The beauty of the relief sun cream is how quickly it sinks into the skin, making it easy to go back in with more product until you've worked through the suggested amount. It smoothes onto the skin without a white cast and leaves a flattering, dewy finish.
I enjoyed the glowy finish, and with every application, I found that my skin appeared hydrated and smoothed as if I'd used a primer. In fact, I often skipped the priming step in my make-up routine just on the strength of the sun relief cream. Even then, I was pleased to discover that my foundation held up as well as usual. On hot days, I experienced no issues with the formula sweating off (or into my eyes); however, like most SPFs, I've found that it will sting your eyes if you swim within 15 minutes of application. It's hard to say whether the anti-ageing benefits I've noticed are down to this SPF alone, but I've definitely seen improvements in my skin since I started using it. Could it be the result of my tests of retinol serum or LED masks? Absolutely. Could the Beauty of Joseon be playing a part? Also yes. Most likely, it's a healthy mix of everything. Either way, nine months in, my skin looks more plumped, smoothed, and bright — so it gets a thumbs up from me.
Is Beauty of Joseon's relief sun, rice and probiotics SPF50+ worth it?
Ultimately, Beauty of Joseon's relief sun SPF lived up to the social media hype and left a gorgeous, youthful glow on my skin. It's affordable, packed with skincare actives and proof that the SPF world – specifically the Korean SPF world – has come a long way since the days of sting-inducing sun creams with white casts and heavy, paste-like textures.
How I tested
SPF is important whether the sky's looking overcast or crystal clear, so I've been using my Beauty of Joseon relief sun cream for more than nine months. This included days when my car windscreen was frosted over and, more recently, as temperatures have been nearing the thirties. Following Dr Marko Lens' advice on how much SPF to apply, I used around one teaspoon's worth of the formula across my face and neck, and noted its consistency and finish on the skin. I paid attention to how quickly the cream absorbed and how it wore throughout the day, recording its sticking power and any instances of sunburn. With ginseng, green tea, rice and niacinamide included in the formula, I closely reviewed any positive or negative changes to my complexion as a result of continued use.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Lucy Smith is IndyBest's senior shopping writer covering everything from the best SPF moisturisers to The Ordinary's SPF. She's spoken to expert dermatologists about a variety of sunscreen topics and has tested many of the industry's best formulas, from Garnier to Simple. Want more sun protection? Check out our tests of the best face sunscreens.
